Two summers ago, my father's two hives died away because he had a stroke and no one (I am guilty) took care of the hives. They sat un-used until last winter, when I decided to start my own hives using some of his equipment, and purchasing whatever else I needed.
The equipment was badly damaged by wax moths, but seemed salvageable. We vigorously scrapped and washed the hive boxes and the plastic frames. We then soaked all in bleached water to disinfect. Finally, my father took a blow torch and carefully used it on every inch of the hive boxes -- all wooden interior surfaces.
I then purchased all new plastic frames with wax coating - Rite-Cell - for both brood boxes. However, for my supers I was planning to use the old plastic frames that we had scrapped and disinfected instead of buying new ones. I successfully installed two packaged bees a month ago.
Here in lies my dilemma. My father told me a couple days ago that he thinks his old hives may have been wiped out by Foul Brood ! Previously, he only said that neglect and the wax moths were the downfall of the hives.
Now I am really concerned. I have read that if you suspect a Foul Brood problem then you should BURN all your equipment. But my father isn't really sure, and never told me this before, so we really don't know.
Should I purchase all new frames for my supers just be safe?
Should I also burn or somehow destroy the old plastic frames?
Should I buy new hive bodies immediately and replace the old super hive bodies plus the two that now contain my two hives?
Should I contact my State Inspector and see if he can come out ASAP and take a look?
Should I just monitor the hives and look for any signs of Foul Brood?
Help please. I am about 10 days away from adding a super to each hive, so I need to purchase frames fast if necessary.
I really appreciate any advice you can give me.
Bill